JeremyS

So I took my Tak FC76DCU to the US last week, packed in a backpack as hand luggage (the tripod and head were in my checked baggage). I sailed through security at Manchester T3 and back out again through Philadelphia. No questions asked (and yet a key ring in another bag caused the bag to be inspected!). I experienced it to be a convenient package to carry around, in and out of taxis, trains, planes etc. The backpack also contained a laptop (taken out at security of course), travel docs and papers etc - oh, and eyepieces! Really pleased. That's the good news. Bad news is that all three 3 nights available to me were cloudy! I was hoping to see Mars from a lower latitude. Never mind, at least I know it's possible to take it next time in travel by plane (Greece)

OIII filter

Vixen HR3.4 just arrived

No, they were definitely Celestron scopes. In fact I was using the C9.25 and C11 last night - the C11 with the Celestron f/6.3 FR. Wonderful!

My question was whether there is any evidence, as per the claim by celestron8g8, that Celestron optimises its accessories to its scopes, not whether Meade FR's are any good or not. As I said in my other post, I am a fan of Celestron scopes

The claim that Celestron accessories are optimised for Celestron scopes is significant and would be of great interest to the astronomical community if true. I'd certainly be interested to know and I'm sure others would too. I'm quite prepared to believe that the Meade 8 SCT was inferior in your test to the C8, but that does not tell us much about Meade and Celestron accessories. For what it's worth, I am a Celestron fan. I currently use a C11 and a C9.25 and for many years I used a C8.

I don't think this is a fact. It might be your impression, but I'd like to see the evidence.

Especially for you @Piero. The Panoptic 24 in the Tak FC76

The 6 x 30 is often described as a little gem. It is!

Yes John. I’ve always used straight through finders (inverted) and never had any trouble. I’ve got a Tak 50 mm and the tiny 30 mm

Very nice ?

You got me thinking Derek. Since I have 4 Taks but only one FQR1, perhaps I could buy 3 more FQR’s and use the same Tak finder on each. Now MY eyes are watering! ? I wonder if the bases as available separately....

I hear they go very well with Tak FS60’s, Chris ?

Hope it works out 25885

Excellent Derek. I find the FQR1 excellent. And scope stores in the carry bag slightly more easily without the finder

Pleased to hear it, Derek!

After some discussion here a couple of weeks ago, the Panoptic 24 has arrived. This will form part of my travel package with the Tak FC76DCU. The Panoptic is much lighter and more compact than my Pentax XL 21 and ES Maxvision 24.

When the Moon's around dark nights are destroyed anyway ?

That excellent Derek. Glad you didn't ditch the Tak green ?

Nice looking Tak plastic bag. Looks like they’ve excelled on its transparency.

The flip side of this is the Tak diagonal is light weight and ideal for travel

Great story, great scope

Lovely! I've got one of those too. What's the mount?

I visited that observatory many times as I lived quite near Commander Hatfield when I was at school. Lovely structure. Last I heard (many years ago) it was moved from Sevenoaks to Christ's Hospital School in Sussex..Glad to hear you are still making use of it Dave. is it in Nottingham?

Excellent news - enjoy!